Card game

ABSTRACT

The invention is an eight-card stud poker game, played with at least one but preferably one standard poker deck of 52 cards. Two or up to seven players may participate in the game. One of the players is the Banker whom other players play against. A Player who is not a Banker may play Poker Bet playing against the Banker&#39;s hand and/or one to seven side bets betting on the contents of the Player&#39;s own hand. After at least one wager is placed, each Player and the Banker are each dealt seven cards and one community card. From their own seven dealt cards and the community card, every Player and the Banker each selects and keeps his best 5-card poker hand and discards three other cards. To win a Poker Bet wager, a Player&#39;s best 5-card poker hand must rank higher than the Banker&#39;s best 5-card poker hand. To win a side-bet wager, a Player&#39;s best 5-card poker hand must be one of the predetermined winning hands of the type of the side bet he bets on. The Poker Bet wager and seven side-bet wagers are eight independent wagers and are settled separately.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the Part 10 “8 Card Thrill” of the following U.S. provisional patent application: Application No. 60/193,309 filed Mar. 30, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to card games and, in particular, to card games for used in casinos and cardrooms.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention is offered under trademark “8 Card Thrill.” The invention is an eight-card stud poker game, played with at least one but preferably one standard poker deck of 52 cards. Two or more but preferably seven players may participate in any given round of play. One of the players is the Banker whom other players play against. A Player who is not a Banker may play Poker Bet playing against the Banker's hand, and/or one to seven side bets betting on the contents of the Player's own hand. After at least one wager is placed, each Player and the Banker are each dealt seven cards and one community card (A community card is a card that is shared by each Player and the Banker). From each Player's seven cards and the community card, each Player selects and keeps his or her best 5-card poker hand and discards three other cards, which are treated as three discards; i.e., from the Player's seven dealt cards AAK9754 and the community card 3, AAK97 is the Player's best 5-card poker hand and 543 are the three discards; from the Player's seven dealt cards QQJJ655 and the community card 2, QQJJ6 is the Player's best 5-card poker hand and 552 are the three discards. From the Banker's seven cards and the community card, the Banker selects and keeps the Banker's best 5-card poker hand and discards three other cards.

[0004] POKER BET is a bet that allows a Player to place a wager playing against the Banker's hand. The object of Poker bet is to have a best 5-card poker hand that outranks the Banker's best 5-card poker hand. In the Poker Bet game, the Player's best 5-card poker hand is compared to the Banker's best 5-card poker hand according to traditional poker rankings, wherein hands are ranked in descending order as follows: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, 4 of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, 3 of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and High Card. Ace is the highest High Card, following by King, Queen, Jack, Ten, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.

[0005] A Poker Bet wager can be settled with either one of the following rules:

[0006] Rules 1: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's, the Player's Poker Bet wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins and is paid Even Money (1 to 1), less a certain percent commission, preferably a 5% commission.

[0007] Rules 2: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's best 5-card poker hand, the Player's Poker Bet wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins, and either is paid Even Money (1 to 1) if the Banker's losing hand is Ace-Jack or better (i.e., AJ987 is an Ace-Jack hand; 66KQJ is a better hand than an Ace-Jack hand), or is paid one half of the wager (1 to 2) if the Banker's losing hand is ‘not’ Ace-Jack or better.

[0008] Rules 3: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's best 5-card poker hand, the Player's Poker Bet wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins and either is paid Even Money (1 to 1) if the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined hands that pays the Player's winning Poker Bet wager Even Money (1 to 1), such as a hand of Ace-King or better, Ace-Queen or better, Ace-Jack or better, or etc., or is paid one half of the wager if the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is ‘not’ one of the aforesaid predetermined hands.

[0009] Rules 4: If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is ‘not’ one of the predetermined qualifying hands, such as Ace-King or better, Ace-Queen or better, Ace-high or better, etc., this Poker Bet wager wins and is paid one half of the wager. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's best card poker hand and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager wins and is paid Even Money (1 to 1).

[0010] Rules 5: If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is ‘not’ one of predetermined qualifying hands, such as King-Queen or better, King-Jack or better, King-Ten or better, King-high or better, Queen-Jack or better, Queen-high or better, etc., this wager is a tie. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one predetermined qualifying hands, this wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager wins and is paid Even Money (1 to 1).

[0011] THE SIDE BETS OF THE INVENTION: The side bets are bets that allow Players to bet on the contents of their own hand. A Player's side-bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined winning hands of the type of side bet he or she bets on, regardless of the outcome of the Poker Bet wager; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the predetermined winning hands. There are seven side bets and they are: Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet, Two Pair Or Better Bet, 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet, Straight Or Better Bet, Flush Or Better Bet, Full House Or Better Bet and Bonus Bet.

[0012] PAIR OF ACES OR BETTER BET: A Player's Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is a pair of Aces, Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet pays Even Money (1 to 1) on any one of the above winning hands.

[0013] TWO PAIR OR BETTER BET: A Player's Two Pair Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Two Pair Or Better Bet pays Even Money (1 to 1) on any one of the above winning hands.

[0014] 3 OF A KIND OR BETTER BET: A Player's 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet pays 3 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands.

[0015] STRAIGHT OR BETTER BET: A Player's Straight Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Straight Or Better Bet pays 3.5 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands.

[0016] FLUSH OR BETTER BET: A Player's Flush Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Flush Or Better Bet pays 8 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands.

[0017] FULL HOUSE OR BETTER BET: A Player's Full House Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Full House Or Better Bet pays 20 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands.

[0018] BONUS BET: Either one of the following three games can be selected to be used for the game of Bonus Bet:

[0019] Game 1: A Player's Bonus Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. The winning wager is paid according to the following pay table: Hand Payout Odds Royal Flush 1,000 to 1 Straight Flush 100 to 1 4 of a Kind 20 to 1 Full House 5 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Straight 2 to 1

[0020] Game 2: A Player's Bonus Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. The winning wager is paid according to the following pay table: Hand Payout Odds Royal Flush 1,000 to 1 Straight Flush 100 to 1 4 of a Kind 25 to 1 Full House 7 to 1 Flush 3 to 1

[0021] Game 3: A Player's Bonus Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. The winning wager is paid according to the following pay table: Hand Payout Odds Royal Flush 2,000 to 1 Straight Flush 200 to 1 4 of a Kind 25 to 1 Full House 7 to 1

[0022] Once the dealer has delivered the cards to all players, the dealer turns over the Banker's seven cards face up with only the top card exposed. After reading their cards, each Player places his or her cards face down on the appropriate spaces of the table layout. The dealer then reveals the Banker's six remaining cards, selects and keeps the Banker's best 5-card poker hand, discards three other cards, settles each Player's side-bet wager(s) first if any, and then each Player's Poker Bet wager if any, against the Banker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 shows a Player's betting area of the table layout of the eight-bet version of the invention: 101 is Poker Bet spot; 102, Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet spot; 103, Two Pair Or Better Bet spot; 104, 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet spot; 105, Straight Or Better Bet spot; 106, Flush Or Better Bet spot; 107, Full House Or Better Bet spot; 108, Bonus Bet spot; 109, a Player's poker hand space; and 110, a Player's discards space.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows a Player's betting area of the table layout of the five-bet version of the invention: 201 is Poker Bet spot; 202, Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet spot; 204, 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet spot; 207, Full House Or Better Bet spot; 208, Bonus Bet spot, 209, a Player's poker hand space; 210, a Player's discards space.

[0025]FIG. 3 shows a table layout of the five-bet version of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The preferred embodiment of the invention provides an eight-card-stud poker game, played with one standard poker deck of 52 cards. In an embodiment, the invention is played with at least one standard poker deck of 52 cards plus at least one Joker. In another embodiment, the invention is played with at least one standard poker deck of 52 cards, wherein either all Twos, all Threes, all Fours, all Fives, all Sixes, all Sevens, all Eights, all Nines, all Tens, all Jacks, all Queens, all Kings, or all Aces are Wild Cards. In other embodiments, the invention can be played with two or more standard poker decks of 52 cards.

[0027] In an embodiment, each Joker or each Wild Card can be used as any card. In another embodiment, each Joker or each Wild Card can be used as used as an Ace, or to form a Straight or Flush.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment, table size, management of players, players' bets, and speed of play are the key reasons for the invention to offer seven positions: six Player positions and one Banker position. Each Player plays against the Banker. In other embodiments, lesser or greater than seven positions can be created in accordance with this invention if, for example, multiple decks are used.

[0029] A Player who is not a Banker may play Poker Bet playing against the Banker's hand and/or one to seven side bets betting on the contents of the Player's own hand. After at least one wager is placed, each Player and the Banker are each dealt seven cards face down and one community card face up; the community card can be dealt face down if this is chosen.

[0030] In this embodiment, each Player and the Banker are each dealt seven cards face down first and one community card face up, which is placed at any appropriate space but preferably at the center of the table layout, starting from the Player sitting to the immediate left of the dealer, continuing in a clockwise fashion and ending with the Banker. Cards are preferably dealt to each Player and to the Banker one card at a time for seven times if the cards are shuffled by a dealer; the cards are preferably dealt to each Player and to the Banker in a stack of seven cards if the cards are shuffled by a shuffling device. Alternatively, seven hands of seven cards are always dealt first and then one community card is dealt face up, regardless of the actual number of players; and some random number generation device such as a random number generator display or a dice shaker, is used to assign the dealt hands to players to reduce the likelihood of problems in dealing. In other embodiments, each Player and the Banker can receive their hands in either one of the following ways, whichever is selected for the game:

[0031] 1. They receive their own eight cards and no community card.

[0032] 2. They receive their own six cards and two community cards.

[0033] 3. They receive their own five cards and three community cards.

[0034] 4. They receive their own four cards and four community cards.

[0035] 5. They receive their own three cards and five community cards.

[0036] 6. They receive their own two cards and six community cards.

[0037] 7. They receive their own one card and seven community cards. And

[0038] 8. They receive no card their own and eight community cards.

[0039] Once having delivered the cards to all players, the dealer turns over the Banker's seven cards with only the top card exposed. From each Player's own seven cards and the community card, each Player selects and keeps his or her best 5-card poker hand, and discards three other cards, then each Player places his or her cards on the appropriate spaces of the table layout. The dealer then reveals the Banker's six remaining cards, selects and keeps the Banker's best 5-card poker hand, discards three other cards, opens the cards of the Player at the immediate right of the dealer, and settles the Player's side-bet wager(s) first if any, and then the Player's Poker Bet wager if any, against the Banker. After completing the transaction of the Player at the immediate right of the dealer, the dealer moves on and completes the transaction of the next Player, and so on. Upon the completion of all transactions, a new round of play will begin.

[0040] POKER BET: The object of Poker Bet is to have a best 5-card poker hand that outranks the Banker's best 5-card poker hand. In the Poker Bet game, a Player's best 5-card poker hand is compared to the Banker's best 5-card poker hand according to traditional poker rankings, where hands are ranked in descending order as follows: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, 4 of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, 3 of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and High Card. Ace is the highest High Card, following by King, Queen, Jack, Ten, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2.

[0041] In this embodiment, A2345 is the second lowest Straight, behind 65432. In another embodiment, A2345 is the second highest Straight, behind AKQJ10 (Royal Flush). Changing the ranking of A2345 does not effect the odds of the game of the present invention.

[0042] The Poker Bet wager may be settled with either one of the following Rules, whichever is selected for the game of Poker Bet:

[0043] Rules 1: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's, this wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins and is paid Even Money (1 to 1), less a certain percent commission, preferably a 5% commission.

[0044] Rules 2: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's best 5-card poker hand, the Player's Poker Bet wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins, and either is paid Even Money (1 to 1) if the Banker's losing hand is Ace-Jack or better (i.e., AJ987 is an Ace-Jack hand; 66KQJ is a better hand than an Ace-Jack hand), or is paid one half of the wager (1 to 2) if the Banker's losing hand is ‘not’ Ace-Jack or better.

[0045] Rules 3: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's best 5-card poker hand, the Player's Poker Bet wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins and either is paid Even Money (1 to 1) if the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined hands that pays the Player's winning Poker Bet wager Even Money (1 to 1), such as a hand of Ace-King or better, Ace-Queen or better, Ace-Jack or better, or etc., or is paid one half of the wager if the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is ‘not’ one of the aforesaid predetermined hands.

[0046] Rules 4: If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is ‘not’ one of the predetermined qualifying hands such as Ace-King or better, Ace-Queen or better, Ace-high or better, etc., this Poker Bet wager wins and is paid one half of the wager. If the Player's best 6-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's best 5-card poker hand and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager wins and is paid Even Money (1 to 1).

[0047] Rules 5: If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is ‘not’ one of predetermined qualifying hands, such as King-Queen or better, King-Jack or better, King-Ten or better, King-high or better, Queen-Jack or better, Queen-high or better, etc., this wager is a tie. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one predetermined qualifying hands, this wager loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager wins and is paid Even Money (1 to 1).

[0048] THE SIDE BETS OF THE INVENTION: The side bets are bets that allow Players to bet on the contents of their own hand. A Player's side-bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined winning hands of the type of side bet he or she bets on, regardless of the outcome of the Poker Bet wager, and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the predetermined winning hands. There are seven side bets and they are: Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet, Two Pair Or Better Bet, 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet, Straight Or Better Bet, Flush Or Better Bet, Full House Or Better Bet and Bonus Bet.

[0049] PAIR OF ACES OR BETTER BET: A Player's Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is a pair of Aces, Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet pays Even Money (1 to 1) on any one of the above winning hands. Alternatively, any other appropriate payout odds can be used.

[0050] TWO PAIR OR BETTER BET: A Player's Two Pair Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Two Pair Or Better Bet pays Even Money (1 to 1) on any one of the above winning hands. Alternatively, any other appropriate payout odds can be used.

[0051] 3 OF A KIND OR BETTER BET: A Player's 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet pays 3 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands. Alternatively, any other appropriate payout odds can be used.

[0052] STRAIGHT OR BETTER BET: A Player's Straight Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Straight Or Better Bet pays 3.5 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands. Alternatively, any other appropriate payout odds can be used.

[0053] FLUSH OR BETTER BET: A Player's Flush Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Flush Or Better Bet pays 8 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands. Alternatively, any other appropriate payout odds can be used.

[0054] FULL HOUSE OR BETTER BET: A Player's Full House Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. Full House Or Better Bet pays 20 to 1 on any one of the above winning hands. Alternatively, any other appropriate payout odds can be used.

[0055] BONUS BET: Either one of the following three games can be selected to be used for the game of Bonus Bet.:

[0056] Game 1: A Player's Bonus Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. The winning wager is paid according to the following pay table: Hand Payout Odds Royal Flush 1,000 to 1 Straight Flush 100 to 1 4 of a Kind 20 to 1 Full House 5 to 1 Flush 3 to 1 Straight 2 to 1

[0057] Alternatively, any other appropriate pay table can be used.

[0058] Game 2: A Player's Bonus Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. The winning wager is paid according to the following pay table: Hand Payout Odds Royal Flush 1,000 to 1 Straight Flush 100 to 1 4 of a Kind 25 to 1 Full House 7 to 1 Flush 3 to 1

[0059] Alternatively, any other appropriate pay table can be used.

[0060] Game 3: A Player's Bonus Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the above winning hands. The winning wager is paid according to the following pay table: Hand Payout Odds Royal Flush 2,000 to 1 Straight Flush 200 to 1 4 of a Kind 25 to 1 Full House 7 to 1

[0061] Alternatively, any other appropriate pay table can be used.

CREATING OTHER VERSIONS OF 8 CARD THRILL

[0062] The games of Poker Bet and seven side bets are the subgames of 8 Card Thrill. There are many ways to create other versions of 8 Card Thrill and they are:

[0063] 1. 8 Card Thrill consists of the game of Poker Bet only.

[0064] 2. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of Poker Bet and any one of 7 side bets.

[0065] 3. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of Poker Bet and any two of 7 side bets.

[0066] 4. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of Poker Bet and any three of 7 side bets.

[0067] 5. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of Poker Bet and any four of 7 side bets.

[0068] 6. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of Poker Bet and any five of 7 side bets.

[0069] 7. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of Poker Bet and any six of 7 side bets.

[0070] 8. 8 Card Thrill consists of the game of any one of 7 side bets.

[0071] 9. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of any two of 7 side bets.

[0072] 10. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of any three of 1 side bets.

[0073] 11. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of any four of 7 side bets.

[0074] 12. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of any five of 7 side bets.

[0075] 13. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of any six of 7 side bets.

[0076] 14. 8 Card Thrill consists of the games of all 7 side bets. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a card game among a plurality of Players and a Banker, each Player wagering against the Banker. The method comprising the following steps: (a) providing and shuffling at least one standard poker deck of 52; (b) each Player placing at least one wager of Poker Bet, Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet, Two Pair Or Better Bet, 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet, Straight Or Better Bet, Flush Or Better Bet, Full House Or Better Bet and Bonus Bet; (c) each Player and the Banker are each dealt seven cards and one community card; (d) determining which dealt hand is assigned to each Player and which dealt hand is assigned to the Banker; (e) from his or her own seven dealt cards and the community card, every Player and the Banker each selecting and keeping his or her own best 5-card poker hand and discarding three other cards; (f) determining whether each Player's side-bet wager or wagers win or lose, if any; (g) settling each Player's side-bet wager or wagers against the Banker; (h) comparing each Player's best 5-card poker hand to the Banker's best 5-card poker hand according traditional poker rankings, wherein hands are ranked in descending order as follows: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, 4 of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, 3 of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair and High Card; wherein Ace is the highest High Card, following by King, Queen, Jack, Ten, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2; (i) determining whether each Player's Poker Bet wager wins, loses or ties, if any; (j) settling each Player's Poker Bet wager against the Banker.
 2. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein the card game of the invention uses one standard poker deck of 52 cards.
 3. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is a pair of Aces, Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the aforesaid winning hands.
 4. The method of playing a card game according to claim 3 , wherein Pair Of Aces Or Better Bet pays Even Money, namely 1 to 1, on a hand of a pair of Aces, Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush.
 5. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Two Pair Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Royal Flush; this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the aforesaid winning hands.
 6. The method of playing a card game according to claim 5 , wherein Two Pair Or Better Bet pays Even Money, namely 1 to 1, on a hand of Two Pair, 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush.
 7. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the aforesaid winning hands.
 8. The method of playing a card game according to claim 7 , wherein 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet pays 3 to 1 on a hand of 3 of a Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush.
 9. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Straight Or Better Bet wager wins if a Player's best 5-card poker hand is Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the aforesaid winning hands.
 10. The method of playing a card game according to claim 9 , wherein Straight Or Better Bet pays 3.5 to 1 on a hand of Straight, Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush.
 11. The method of playing a card game according to claim 9 , wherein Straight Or Better Bet pays 1,000 to 1 on a hand of Royal Flush, 100 to 1 on a hand of Straight Flush, 20 to 1 on a hand of 4 of a Kind, 5 to 1 on a hand of Full House, 3 to 1 on a hand of Flush, and 2 to 1 on a hand of Straight.
 12. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Flush Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the aforesaid winning hands.
 13. The method of playing a card game according to claim 12 , wherein Flush Or Better Bet pays 8 to 1 on a hand of Flush, Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush.
 14. The method of playing a card game according to claim 12 , wherein Flush Or Better Bet pays 1,000 to 1 on a hand of Royal Flush, 100 to 1 on a hand of Straight Flush, 25 to 1 on a hand of 4 of a Kind, 7 to 1 on a hand of Full House, and 3 to 1 on a hand of Flush.
 15. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Full House Or Better Bet wager wins if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush; and this wager loses if the Player's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the aforesaid winning hands.
 16. The method of playing a card game according to claim 15 , wherein Full House Or Better Bet pays 20 to 1 on a hand of Full House, 4 of a Kind, Straight Flush or Royal Flush.
 17. The method of playing a card game according to claim 15 , wherein Full House Or Better Bet pays 2,000 to 1 on a hand of Royal Flush, 200 to 1 on a hand of Straight Flush, 25 to 1 on a hand of 4 of a Kind, and 7 to 1 on a hand of Full House.
 18. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Poker Bet wager is settled against the Banker as follows: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's, the Player's Poker Bet wager loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins and is paid Even Money, namely 1 to 1, less a certain percent commission.
 19. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Poker Bet wager is settled against the Banker as follows: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's, the Player's Poker Bet wager loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins and is paid Even Money, namely 1 to 1, less a 5% commission.
 20. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Poker Bet wager is settled against the Banker as follows: If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's, this Poker Bet wager loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's, this wager wins and either is paid Even Money, namely 1 to 1, if the Banker's losing hand is one of the predetermined hands that pay the winning Poker Bet wager Even Money, or is paid one half of the wager, namely 1 to 2, if the Banker's losing hand is not one of the predetermined hands that pay the winning Poker wager Even Money.
 21. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Poker Bet wager is settled against the Banker as follows: If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the predetermined qualifying hands, the Player's Poker Bet wager is a tie and it neither wins nor loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's and the Banker's best 6-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, then this wager loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager wins and is paid Even Money, namely 1 to
 1. 22. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1 , wherein a Player's Poker Bet wager is settled against the Banker as follows: If the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is not one of the predetermined qualifying hands, the Player's Poker Bet wager automatically wins and is paid one half of the wager, namely 1 to 2; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks lower than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager loses; if the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks the same as the Banker's and the Banker's best 6card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, then the two hands tie and this wager neither wins nor loses. If the Player's best 5-card poker hand ranks higher than the Banker's and the Banker's best 5-card poker hand is one of the predetermined qualifying hands, this wager wins and is paid Even Money, namely 1 to
 1. 